Method of data transmission

Abstract

A method of data transmission, and more particularly a secure method of data transmission. The method comprises generating and sending a classical data stream and quantum data stream from a source to a destination. The step of generating and sending a classical data stream from the source to the destination comprises encrypting the data stream with the repeated use of a once-seen pad. Observing the quantum data stream received at the destination, may indicate eavesdropping and if so, the classical data stream is modified and sent from the source to the destination, including stopping the repeated use of the once-seen pad. The same once-seen pad may be used a number of times provided no third party has seen data encrypted by the once-seen pad.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A method of data transmission between a source and a destination, the method comprising the steps of:
 generating and sending a classical data stream from the source to the destination, wherein the step of generating and sending the classical data stream from the source to the destination comprises encrypting the data stream with the repeated use of a once-seen pad; 
 generating and sending a quantum data stream from the source to the destination; 
 whereby the classical data stream and the quantum data stream are sent along the same communications cable at the same time; and 
 observing the quantum data stream received at the destination, and if observation of the quantum data stream indicates eavesdropping, modifying the classical data stream and sending a modified classical data stream from the source to the destination, including stopping the repeated use of the once-seen pad; and 
 decrypting the classical data stream received at the destination with the repeated use of the once-seen pad. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of data transmission as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the step of generating and sending the classical data stream from the source to the destination comprises encrypting at least part of the classical data stream using a buffer, the method further comprising the step of:
 when receiving the classical data stream at the destination, decrypting the at least part of the classical data stream using an identical buffer. 
 
     
     
       3. The method of data transmission as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the buffers are ring buffers. 
     
     
       4. The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the method comprises the step of refreshing the once-seen pad on an ongoing basis. 
     
     
       5. The method of data transmission as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the quantum data stream continues to be observed after eavesdropping is indicated, and a modification of the classical data stream continues until the observation no longer indicates eavesdropping. 
     
     
       6. The method of data transmission as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the step of modifying the classical data stream comprises pausing the generation and sending of the classical data stream from the source to the destination. 
     
     
       7. The method of data transmission as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein prior to the step of modifying the classical data stream:
 providing an indication from the destination to the source and subsequently pausing the generation and sending of the classical data stream from the source to the destination. 
 
     
     
       8. The method of data transmission as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the step of modifying the classical data stream comprises encrypting the classical data stream prior to the step of sending the modified classical data stream from the source to the destination. 
     
     
       9. The method of data transmission as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the encrypting of the classical data stream comprises a higher-level encryption necessitating a lower transmission speed when sending the modified classical data stream from the source to the destination. 
     
     
       10. The method of data transmission as claimed in  claim 1 , comprising the step of sending a regular “OK” signal from the destination to the source, provided that observation of the quantum data stream indicates no eavesdropping is taking place. 
     
     
       11. The method of data transmission as claimed in  claim 6 , comprising the step of sending a regular “OK” signal from the destination to the source, provided that observation of the quantum data stream indicates no eavesdropping is taking place, and comprising the step of pausing the generating and sending of the classical data stream from the source to the destination in the event that the source does not receive the “OK” signal from the destination. 
     
     
       12. The method of data transmission as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the step of generating and sending the classical data stream from the source to the destination is at a first transmission wavelength, the method including the step of:
 providing an optical guard signal at a second transmission wavelength longer than the first transmission wavelength, and measuring at the destination a signal power differential. 
 
     
     
       13. The method of data transmission as claimed in  claim 12 , including the step of:
 detecting a change in the signal power differential. 
 
     
     
       14. A system for transmitting data between a source and a destination, comprising:
 means for generating and sending a classical data stream from the source to the destination, comprising encrypting the data stream with a repeated use of a once-seen pad; 
 means for generating and sending a quantum data stream from the source to the destination; 
 whereby the classical data stream and the quantum data stream are sent along the same communications cable at the same time; and 
 means for observing the quantum data stream received at the destination, and if observation of the quantum data stream indicates eavesdropping, means for modifying the classical data stream and sending a modified classical data stream from the source to the destination, including stopping the repeated use of the once-seen pad; and 
 means for decrypting the classical data stream received at the destination with the repeated use of the once-seen pad. 
 
     
     
       15. A data transmission system comprising:
 a communications cable; 
 a transmitter configured to generate and send a classical and a quantum data stream at the same time in the communications cable, the transmitter further comprising a buffer including a once-seen pad, and configured to encrypt the classical data stream using repeated use of the once-seen pad; 
 a receiver configured to receive the classical and quantum data streams from the transmitter; 
 whereby the receiver is configured to observe the received quantum data stream and provide an indication to the transmitter upon observation that the quantum data stream indicates eavesdropping, the receiver further comprising a buffer including the once-seen pad, and configured to decrypt the classical data stream using repeated use of the once-seen pad; 
 whereby the transmitter is configured to modify the classical data stream upon receipt of the indication from the receiver including stopping of the encryption of the classical data stream using repeated use of the once-seen pad. 
 
     
     
       16. A data transmission system as claimed in  claim 15  wherein the indication is an absence of an “OK” signal. 
     
     
       17. A data transmission system as claimed in  claim 15  or  16  wherein the transmitter and the receiver are combined in a transceiver. 
     
     
       18. A kit of parts for data transmission comprising:
 a communications cable; 
 a transmitter configured to generate and send at the same time, a classical and a quantum data stream in the communications cable the transmission unit further comprising a buffer including a once-seen pad, and configured to encrypt the classical data stream using repeated use of the once-seen pad; 
 a receiver configured to receive the classical and quantum data streams from the transmitter; 
 whereby the receiver is configured to observe the received quantum data stream and provide an indication to the transmitter upon observation that the quantum data stream indicates eavesdropping the receiver further comprising a buffer including the once-seen pad, and configured to decrypt the classical data stream using repeated use of the once-seen pad; 
 whereby the transmitter is configured to modify the classical data stream upon receipt of the indication from the receiver including stopping of the encryption of the classical data stream using repeated use of the once-seen pad.